Iraq War 15th anniversary: Collected opinions

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In Baghdad there are few fond memories of the chaos that followed the US-led invasion in 2003.

“A lot of people were killed here, without anything, without guilt. My country is destroyed you know there is no electricity, no service, everything building is destroyed," said Imad Ali, an engineer as he shops at a market that has sprung back to life after ISIL’s destruction as a military force.

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The defeat of ISIL has seen a semblance of normality return. But security concerns persist particularly among minorities.

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“According to my belief we should have hope and faith, but if you start listening to the political news, no, it’s hopeless,” says Yousif, a Christian shop owner as he attends Sunday mass.

Some say there is hope, particularly when it’s the young speaking.

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“People learn from their own experience of sectarianism. We didn’t get anything out of it but destruction. If they open a new chapter and forget about the past I think we will have a chance,” said Yusef Ahmed, a student of architecture at Baghdad University.

Iraq is in many ways a man’s world.

But women continue to broaden the gains achieved since Saddam’s time, including a minimum 25 percent quota of seats in Iraq’s parliament.

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“For like three to four or maybe more decades Iraqi women have occupied positions that could be exclusive to men in other societies. For example we have the department of mechanics. The majority of the students are females,” said Siham al-Kabi, the head of Women’s studies at Bagdad University

Though problems persist, politics usually takes the blame.